Centennial Beach bathhouse improvements targeted for fall

Centennial Beach patrons will use the old bathhouse for one final summer before $5.5 million in improvements begin at the Naperville facility.

Park district planners gave commissioners one last chance to weigh in on proposed enhancements Thursday and hope to receive bids on the projects in March.

Work would begin after Labor Day and the renovated bathhouse should be ready for use by the 2011 beach season.

In store for the bathhouse are improved lockers and restrooms, including family changing rooms.

There also will be a new concessions building with both inside and outside access.

"What's really nice about this concession area is it will not only serve patrons inside the bathhouse and beach area, it will also serve patrons at the skate facility walking along the walk leading up from the Riverwalk," said Eric Shutes, director of planning.

Plans also call for a new entrance area as well as an improved drop-off area.

Shutes said site constraints made designing traffic flow one of the toughest tasks.

Commissioner Marie Todd said she was pleased with the results.

"I think this addresses that very nicely, especially the (handicapped access) and ability to get cars out of the driveway and into the parking lot without hindering things," she said.

Commissioner Ron Ory said he still has some concerns about potential intersection hazards but Shutes assured him the layout was endorsed by city staff as well as traffic consultants. "This was the layout design we found that had the least amount of constraints," Shutes said. "We know any kind of layout you're going to have is not going to be perfect."

Other accessibility enhancements include a platform lift to make it easier for people with disabilities to get from the bathhouse to the beach deck.

The bathhouse also will be getting new mechanical systems and other infrastructure upgrades.

The original limestone bathhouse was build in 1934. It underwent renovations in 2003 and 2004 that included concrete decks, a water circulation system and lighting.

The district initially hoped to start the renovation work in 2009 and have it ready for this year's beach season but stormwater issues pushed the timeline back.

Centennial Beach has been recognized as one of the 150 greatest places in Illinois by the American Institute of Architects.